Establishing a Clan in the Eastern Wilderness: A Daily Divination, Cultivating Longevity in a Grotto

"But I've already inquired," Du Liuniang said, a hint of sarcasm playing on her lips. "The Yun family does send people, but they're just honorary retainers. When those people arrive in the fiefdom, they first demand a 'deployment fee,' then a 'settlement fee,' before the fighting starts they ask for 'preparation funds,' and after the fighting, they demand 'reward money.' They have more demands than bandits."

She paused:

"If they win the fight, they'll take all the credit."

If they can't win, they run away faster than anyone else.

These servants are just idle people kept by the Yun family; how can you expect them to risk their lives for you?

How is that any different from bandits?!

Li Changsheng couldn't help but ask:

"And what about the payment?"

"The payment is separate," Du Liuniang said. "The going rate is 20% of the annual income from spirit rice in the fiefdom. Add to that all those miscellaneous charges, and almost half the harvest is gone. My Du family only has fifteen mu of spirit land this year, and half of that..."

She didn't continue.

Li Changsheng understood.

The five newly established families in Qinglan County each possessed only ten to twenty mu of spiritual land. Half of the harvest meant that the entire family would have to tighten their belts next year. And this was just the reward—when the offerings actually arrived, the various pretexts for extortion would only increase, not decrease.

"So I have another way." Du Liuniang looked up at Li Changsheng, "The Zhenshi Division."

Li Changsheng was slightly taken aback.

"The Zhenshi Division has set up a branch office in Qinglan County. Those people receive salaries from the imperial court and are more disciplined than the noble families who serve under them."

Du Liuniang said:

"I've inquired about it; the Zhen Shi Si (镇世司) can take on private jobs—as long as the pay is right, they'll send a serving cultivator to be stationed there. These people are trustworthy; they'll do the job once they receive the spirit stones, and they won't create any pretexts. Moreover…"

She paused:

"They will receive rewards from the court for their meritorious service in killing the bandits. It's a win-win situation."

"How much is the reward?" Li Changsheng asked.

"Red marrow rice accounts for 30% to 40% of the annual income," said Du Liuniang.

The reception room fell silent for a moment.

Three to four tenths.

This is almost identical to inviting the Yun family to make offerings.

Li Changsheng said, "I'll go back and discuss it further."

Du Liuniang nodded, without trying to stop her.

...

...

The flying horse flapped its wings and took off, carrying Li Changsheng away from Cuiwei Mountain.

He did not return to Qinglan Mountain.

"Xiao Bai, go to the Yun family."

With a long neigh, Xiao Bai turned around and sped towards Yunlan Mountain, where the Yun family was located.

From afar, one could see the towering archway, three zhang high and carved entirely of green jade.

Above the archway, the two characters "Yun Clan" are carved with sword intent, their sharpness still awe-inspiring despite hundreds of years of wind and rain. The mountain gate is majestic, its spiritual energy swirling like mist, with layers of pavilions and palaces faintly visible hidden among the clouds. The mountain-protecting array glows with a pale blue spiritual light, enveloping the entire mountain range; its spiritual pressure is far superior to the simple array of Qinglan Mountain.

Li Changsheng finally truly understood what a ninth-rank aristocratic family was.

A dozen or so people had already gathered at the foot of the mountain.

Their skill levels ranged from mid-stage Qi Refining to peak Qi Refining, and their clothing varied, but they all wore anxious expressions and hurried about.

Li Changsheng glanced at their waist tag markings.

The Qi-refining families under the Yun family's rule have come seeking help.

One of them was even at the peak of Qi Refining.

Li Changsheng's gaze narrowed slightly.

Those long-established Qi-refining families possess hundreds of acres of spiritual fields, accumulated over generations, with profound resources. Even they came seeking help with such deep concern…

This time, the threat of bandits is likely being addressed by Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He calmed himself down, jumped off the flying horse, handed a visiting card to the guard at the mountain gate, and then walked to the end of the line to wait quietly.

He had just stood still when a cold gaze pierced him from the side.

Cheng Lao Er.

He was also in the group, chatting and laughing with a guard from the outer sect of the Yun family. When he turned his head and saw Li Changsheng, his face instantly turned ashen, and the hatred in his eyes almost solidified.

Li Changsheng did not avoid his gaze, but calmly met his eyes.

Cheng Lao Er's gaze lingered on Li Changsheng for a moment, then his pupils contracted slightly—

The fourth level of Qi Refining.

This young man from the Li family, who killed the third son and somehow devoured Mad Blade Rain, has also broken through to the mid-stage.

Cheng Lao Er gritted his teeth and sneered:

"Some people are really overestimating themselves. The Yun family's gates are not for just any Tom, Dick, or Harry to enter. If you send out your visiting card, you might not even get a 'please' before nightfall."

He deliberately raised his voice, attracting the attention of several monks who were queuing up to see him.

Li Changsheng ignored it.

Just then.

A steward in blue robes emerged from the mountain gate, his gaze sweeping over the queuing crowd before heading straight towards them.

Cheng Lao Er's eyes lit up, and he immediately stepped forward, a fawning smile plastered on his face:

"Fellow Daoist, my name is Cheng Jiacheng..."

The blue-robed attendant walked past him without stopping and stopped in front of Li Changsheng.

"Are you Chief Li of the Qinglan Mountain clan?"

"Exactly."

"Clan Chief Li, come with me."

Cheng Lao Er stood frozen in place.

This shouldn't be!

He instinctively called out to the person:

"Wait...wait! Sir, are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else? I am Cheng the Second Son of the Cheng family. My sister is a concubine in the Second Elder's household, and she was diagnosed with pregnancy a few months ago..."

"Noisy!"

The blue-robed steward shouted, and a gust of air sent Cheng Lao Er flying, his steps unwavering. He didn't take Cheng Lao Er seriously at all.

Cheng Lao Er, lying on the ground, dared not utter a sound. He was filled with fear and resentment. He stared intently at Li Changsheng's back, his teeth almost grinding to powder.

When did that brat from the Li family manage to climb the social ladder and get connected with the Yun family?!

...

...

The servant in blue led Li Changsheng through the mountain gate and up the blue stone steps.

Inside the gates of the Yun family mountain, there lies a hidden paradise.

The spiritual fields stretched out in vast expanses, where spirit birds roamed leisurely, and the distant sounds of magical artifacts clashing could be faintly heard from the martial arts arena. The Yun family disciples who came and went were all dressed in fine clothes, their auras solid and powerful, with late-stage Qi Refining cultivators being commonplace, and occasionally Foundation Establishment cultivators would soar through the air.

Li Changsheng lowered his eyes and avoided looking at him.

The steward in blue led him to a secluded courtyard outside the gate and said:

"The Ninth Miss is discussing important matters with the Eldest Miss. Please wait here for a moment, Clan Chief Li."

After saying that, he left.

Li Changsheng stood alone in the courtyard.

He knew the eldest daughter of the Yun family.

Although the Li family was poor and weak, they still had the ability to gather basic intelligence.

Miss Yun, the eldest daughter of the First Elder, successfully established her foundation before she turned thirty. She is the most dazzling genius of the Yun family in this generation. It is rumored that she has been chosen by a young master from an eighth-rank family, but Miss Yun has no intention of marrying into a higher social class.

Such a person is worlds apart from him now.

About an incense stick later, the doors to the main hall were pushed open from the inside.

Yun Jiuniang personally escorted a woman out.

The woman wore a red fairy dress, her black hair cascading down her back, and her face was covered by a light veil, revealing only a pair of deep, pool-like eyes.

Li Changsheng dared not look any longer, immediately lowered his eyes, and stepped aside to make way.

The eldest daughter of the Yun family glanced at Li Changsheng seemingly casually, but deep in her eyes lay a turbulent emotion that was being suppressed.

Nevertheless.

The other party, however, did not reveal anything and continued walking.

Yun Jiuniang escorted the woman to the courtyard gate, whispered a few words, and the woman nodded slightly. Then, a red silk ribbon flew out from her sleeve, and she stepped on the red silk ribbon, soaring into the air and disappearing into the sky in an instant.